Balancing act: ROTC, PLP and 20-credit semesters

It is not an easy task to juggle work, school and a social life for any college student.

However, 20-year old Adam Fitzhugh, junior, from Chesapeake, also has to balance his time as a member of the Presidents Leadership Program and the Reserve Officers Training Corps. As a business finance major, Fitzhugh has a rigorous class schedule, taking an average of 20 credit hours every semester.

When Fitzhugh came to CNU, he immediately joined ROTC for financial reasons and because of past family history of military service.

My father was in the navy four years, and my grandfather was in it for four years as well, Fitzhugh explained. That definitely played a part in my interest in ROTC. I remember hearing stories from my father when I was growing up about his time with intelligence, which intrigued me a little bit. Also, I dont come from a family of high financial means, so the financial benefits helped me make my decision to join as well, he said.

As a result of the number of credits required by the business school, Fitzhugh estimates that he will be able to graduate just in time, getting all the business credits he needs by the end of his fourth year.

The biggest benefit of being in both ROTC and PLP is being able to see the two different views of leadershipthe theories and scientific research from PLP, and the practical, down-to-earth, hands-on approach from ROTCand see how they play together, he said.

In addition to his academic life, Fitzhugh is also a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, and also enjoys mountain biking.

Last year, I did the adventure race, which is like a triathlon, but more on the extreme side, said Fitzhugh. Im hopefully training for another one in the fall.

Another passion of Fitzhughs is music. He has been playing the drums since his sophomore year of high school.

I like to tinker around a little bit. I have gotten a little worse since I dont have the drums here where I live, but I still enjoy it, he said.

Very goal-oriented, Fitzhugh has his sights set on serving in the National Guard after graduation, getting an MBA from another university and becoming a financial analyst.

I was also considering the C.I.A. They have financial analysts for different countries, Fitzhugh said.

Adams motto is always Work first, said Fitzhughs roommate and fellow ROTC member Erik Burg, a junior.